S.C. State salute, space chats, rural help and more

ORANGEBURG, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says the South Carolina State University soccer team is the latest recipient of the agency’s Community Hero award.

Every player on the Bulldogs soccer team is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In recognition of the team’s great efforts, during the first half of Saturday’s game, DHEC officials Dr. Linda Bell and Felicia Vessey presented the award to Interim President Colonel Alexander Conyers and Director of Athletics Stacey Danley.

“The DHEC is proud to recognize the SC State Bulldogs football team for taking this massive initiative to get 100% immunization against COVID-19,” Bell said. “By every player applying for a full vaccination, the Bulldogs have taken great strides to protect not only the health of their team, but also the health of their fellow students, faculty, families, friends, and community as a whole.”

Local students will talk to astronauts

GROVETOWN, Ga. Savannah River Academy students will have the opportunity to speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station the week of December 6.

The academy was chosen last year to be a point of contact with the International Space Station, allowing students to talk to astronauts on the station as it orbits above Earth.

In preparation, the school engaged in a nearly year-long process of focusing on the study of the history and science of space exploration as well as the technology used to communicate with a moving space station.

The Academy was one of seven organizations selected across the country and the only school in Georgia selected.

Students who participated in the event described it as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Georgia begins effort to support rural students

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Education is launching a statewide effort to help school districts identify and support students who have dropped out of school as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agency is partnering with the Graduation Alliance and allocating $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds for the location, participation, and individual support of up to 50,000 students in rural areas:

• Those who have dropped out of school or are chronically absent due to COVID-related school disruptions.
• Those at risk of failing a semester or more.
• whose families have requested additional support.

The Graduate Alliance will provide outreach advisors, academic success coaches, data collection and communications services for the effort.

USC Aiken schedule of events this weekend

Aiken, South Carolina – The University of Aiken, University of South Carolina and the Veterans and Military Student Success Office welcome the community to participate in the third annual Race to Empower Healthy Veterans, on Saturday.

It will start at 8:30 a.m. at Roberto Hernandez Stadium on campus.

The proceeds from the race will help create the new Military and Veteran Student Scholarship.

Register for an event by visiting usca.edu/ehvcampaign.

Also this weekend at school is the Lifelong Learning Center’s first book fair.

The event will take place on Saturday at B&E Gym from 10am to 3pm. Entry is free, but guests are encouraged to donate at the door and enter to win prizes.

The event will promote local authors and will provide book lovers an opportunity to meet and chat with authors while browsing unique titles.

Public input sought on Aiken County’s COVID plans

AIKEN, SC – As part of the US bailout, school districts must develop a plan to return to in-person education and update the plan every six months.

Aiken County is requesting feedback on the first six-month update of the 2021-22 plan.

The updated plan represents changes to the region’s COVID-19 protocols that have occurred since the plan’s initial approval in July of this year.

Stakeholders can view a copy of the updated plan by clicking here.

Feedback and suggestions can be emailed to Communications@acpsd.net.

How parents can review textbooks in South Carolina

AIKEN, SC – The South Carolina Department of Education invites the public to review textbooks and educational materials that have been proposed for use in South Carolina public schools.

The material will be shown at 15 sites as well as online from November 9 to December 9 with guidelines for submitting comments available at each site.

SCDE will publish to the public the links to digitally access the educational materials on its website.

Locally, materials are available for review in person at University of South Carolina-Aiken, 471 University Parkway, B&E Building 238D, Aiken.

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